Obituaries July 16, 2013

Dorothy Thornton Hutto
DALLAS – Dorothy Thornton Hutto passed from this life in the early morning of July 6, 2013. She now abides with her loving Heavenly Father whose very presence has taken away the shame and pain of a very difficult life void with little love and affirmation as a child. She was very bright person and a fighter who never gave up.

Dorothy (Marcy as she was known in Tupelo) was born in Alabama on May 3, 1935, to Cora Thornton. She grew up quickly and was a teenage single mother in 1953. She worked hard to educate herself and provide for her small family.
She married Dewey Hutto in 1956. They moved to Tupelo in 1964. It was a difficult marriage that ended in a tragedy. While in Tupelo, Dorothy worked for M.M. Winkler Accountants as Mr. Winkler’s personal assistant. She also worked for Mr.

Bud McCarty at L.P. McCarty and Sons. Good friends in Tupelo were Grace Wallace, Sissy McCarty, Freda Marion, Dr. Antone Tannehill and Mrs. Heim. These kind people loved Dorothy and provided much support during her days in Tupelo.

After the death of her husband in 1969, she moved to St. Paul, Minn., to begin a new life. There she made many friends and found acceptance. While in St. Paul she worked for Radisson Hotels for 38 years. She received many accolades for her work in turning the Communications Department into a successful revenue operation. During her tenure at Radisson, she never missed a day of work.

After her retirement, her final years were spent in Dallas, Texas, where her daughter, Jill, and her husband, Denny, and her daughter, Janet, provided her with love and support.
Survivors include one son, Joey Hutto (Michelle) of Tupelo and daughters, Janet Wright and Jill Hanrahan (Denny) of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Hank Hutto of Tupelo, John Hutto of Oxford, Steele Hutto of Nashville, Tenn., Nathan Wright of Oxford, William Wright of Dallas, Texas, John Hanrahan of College Station, Texas, and Georgia Hanrahan of Dallas, Texas. Other survivors include her brothers, Chuck Thornton (Maxine) and Don Thornton, and her sister, Pat.

There will be a short memorial service honoring her life at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo on Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Joey Hutto will deliver the eulogy.
Memorials may be made to Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, 100 Parkgate Extd. 2A-H, Tupelo, MS 38801.

Travis Brock
AMORY – Travis Odell “Hubcap” Brock, 63, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at his home. Born Dec. 26, 1949, in Amory, he was a son of Evelyn Majors Brock and the late Earl Brock. He attended Amory schools and was a member of Cason Baptist Church. Before his retirement, he worked in the garment plant and for Days Security. Guided by his faith in God, much of his time was spent with family and friends. He enjoyed dealing in old cars and buying and selling hubcaps.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. today, July 16, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory with Bro. Tommy Whaley and Bro. Terry Paul Graham officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery.
Survivors include his mother, Evelyn Brock of Amory; one sister, Diane Tidwell (Bobby) of Amory; one brother, Curtis Brock of Amory; nephews, Bobby Joe Tidwell, Brad Tidwell (Emily) and Scott Tidwell (Nikki); great-nephews, Stacy Patterson, Bailey Doolittle, Isaiah Tidwell, Parker Tidwell and Holden Patterson; and special friends, Larry and Roberta Thornsberry, and Robert and Sharon Odom.

Patsey Bowers
OXFORD – Patsey Embry Bowers, 71, died Friday, July 12, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today, July 16, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora. Burial will follow in the Eupora City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Harold Reynolds
BRUCE – Harold Wayne Reynolds, 66, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at his home. He was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Sarepta. He served in the National Guard. He was a retired truck driver for Calhoun County.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today, July 16, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce. The Rev. Robert Earl Alexander will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Bruce.

Visitation will be from noon to service time today at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.

Terry Carlton
VERONA – Terry Lewis Carlton, 59, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at his residence. He was born Sept. 2, 1953, to James and Frances Carlton. He was a member of Church of Acts of New Albany. He worked many years as a police officer, both with the New Mexico State Prison System and the Tupelo Police Department. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Private family services were held at W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo.

Survivors include his wife of almost 24 years, Rebecca “Becky” Carlton; his children, Justin Carlton (Maria) of San Juan Island, Wash., Brad Carlton (Kimberlee) of Lenoir, N.C., and Conrad Carlton of Los Cruses, N.M.; grandchildren, Novali, Bradley and Miles Carlton; sister, Belinda Bryant; brother, Robert Carlton; his mother, Frances Carlton, all of Albuquerque, N.M.; a few nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Charles Kelly of Plantersville.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Carlton.

Jewel Posey
MANTACHIE – Jewel Cook Posey, 93, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. She was born Nov. 27, 1919, to John Allen and Ovie Elizabeth Roper Cook. She was a seamstress and worked in local factories until retirement. She was a member of Mayfield Church of Christ. She enjoyed yard work, gardening, shopping, and going to auctions.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Dr. John Adams officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include two sons, Bobby Posey (Linda) of Guntown and Judon Posey (Marilyn) of Saltillo; five grandchildren, Angela Patterson (Rodney), Christy Johnson (Joe), Rodney Posey (Cherish), Tim Posey (Joanne) and Kimberly Posey; one stepgrandchild, Nicky Williams; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Posey, in 2006; three brothers, Jessie Cook, Walter Cook and Charlie Cook; seven sisters, Nellie Benefield, Luna Elwell, Helen Cook, Audrey Cook and Ruby Price and two infant sisters; and her parents.

Merlaine Nichols
WEST POINT – Merlaine Young Nichols, 96, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center, in Tupelo. She was born July 10, 1917, in Nettleton in Lee County to Winnie Isabella Coggin and Henry Juette Young. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church. She loved to sew and shared her talent for many years doing private seamstress work and repairing clothing items. She loved to cook and was an excellent country cook.

She married Walter Lee Nichols on Sept. 25, 1938, in Egypt. Had she lived until September; they would have been married for 75 years.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeff Shannon officiating. Burial will follow in West Point Memorial Garden Cemetery. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Lee Nichols; one son, Ralph Nichols (Priscilla) of West Point; two grandchildren, Douglas Nichols and Angela Knowles (Alan); and two great-grandchildren, Ember Knowles and Lyndsey Knowles; and her great-grandson, Thailer Nichols.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 293, West Point, MS 39773.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. today at Calvert Funeral Home. The body will lie at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com.

Beverly Taylor
CORINTH – Beverly Taylor, 54, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Patterson Memorial Chapel of Corinth.

Bud Gunter
PEACEFUL VALLEY – Everette Ray “Bud” Gunter, 68, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. He was born March 27, 1945, to William Everette and Evieline McLendon Gunter. He attended school in Sulligent, Ala. He earned a degree in management from the University of Mississippi. He worked in management at Mueller Brass for 18 years and worked 16 years at Cooper Tire. He was a Freewill Baptist. He was a member of Richmond Lodge No. 97 where he had served as Master three times. He was a member of Evergreen Chapter No. 399 Order of the Eastern Star where he was Worthy Patron three times and served on several Grand Chapter committees. His greatest joy was his wife and constant companion, Sue, who was his everything, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His loved his family and friends unconditionally.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Lester and Wilma Johnson; two brothers, William Gunter and Bob Gunter; a great-niece, Amanda Otts; and a great-nephew, Chris Edwards.
Pallbearers will be Greg Guinn, Lee Barnes, Sherman Burton, Skip Johnson, Edsel Carpenter, Rusty Loden, Donnie Bennett and Barry Green.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of Richmond Lodge No. 97 and other Masons; and the Cardsville Baptist Church family.

Leroy Snow
HOLLY SPRINGS – Leroy Snow, 64, died Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Serenity Funeral Home of Holly Springs.

Bobby Wren
BOONEVILLE – Bobby J. Wren, 71, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born March 23, 1942, in Booneville to Herman J. Wren and Sara Lorean Frederick Wren. He was a U.S. Marine veteran, and he was an engineer at Biltrite in Ripley. He enjoyed collecting guns, playing pool and computers.

No funeral services are scheduled. Burial will be in Antioch No. 2 Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by three daughters, Sandy Freeman (Donnie) of Jumpertown, Terrina Haire of Kossuth and Megan Holmes (Dan) of Rienzi; a brother, Donnie Wren (Janice) of Rienzi; and five grandchildren, Jessica Freeman, Maddison Freeman, Zackary Haire, Micah Haire and Tyler Holmes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ricky Wren.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Wayne Mathis
DENNIS – Wayne David Mathis, 54, died Saturday, July 13, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Iuka.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today, July 16, at Iuka Church of God. Interment will follow in Palestine Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Iuka Church of God Building Fund.

An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.

Jackie Wilson
BALDWYN – Jacquelin “Jackie” Presley Wilson, 47, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Waters Funeral Home.

John Poczok
SALTILLO – John Poczok, 55, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center.

There will be no public viewing or visitation. Waters Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James McCool
SIPSEY FORK – James Earl McCool, 64, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at his residence. Born July 5, 1949, in Sulligent, Ala., he was a son of Eunice Black McCool and the late William Walker McCool. He married Brenda Adams on July 24, 1968.

He attended Greenwood Springs Elementary School. He was a graduate of Hatley High School Class of 1967. He was of the Baptist faith. He retired as a supervisor from Amory Garment with 36 years of service. He loved and lived life to the fullest, never meeting a stranger and often talking about the old times with family and friends. He loved his family deeply, was a hard worker, and enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and collecting knives.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Booneville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jumpertown First Baptist Church, 555 Highway 4 W., Booneville, MS 38829, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Bernice Sweeney
GOLDEN – Bernice H. Sweeney II, 76, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Deaton Funeral Home of Red Bay, Ala.

Earline Hall
NEW ALBANY – Alta Earline Owen Hall, 91, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at her residence. She was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Union County to Rod Lee Owen and Zora Odell Kent Owen. She was a retired employee of the shirt factory, caretaker of Union County Home and a cafeteria worker at the New Albany School System. She was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Wilson, the Rev. Jay Harrison and the Rev. Jamie Owen officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. United Funeral Service in New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Leland Hall; four sisters, Mildred Dunhue, Laura Gaddy, Gather Rodgers and Ruth Cappleman; and a brother, Milton Owen.
Pallbearers will be her great-grandsons.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at United Funeral Service. The body will lie in repose at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church from 1 p.m. to service time Wednesday.

For online condolences visit unitedfuneralservice.com.

Irene George
BOONEVILLE – Irene McCoy George, 93, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at Landmark Nursing and Rehab in Booneville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home.

Michael Meldrum
TUPELO – Michael E. Meldrum, 73, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice after a long illness. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel.

Tommy Poe
HATLEY – Tommy Poe, 53, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.

Leonard Vance
HOULKA – Leonard Vance, 77, died Monday, July 15, 2013, at his home in Houlka. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc.

Services will be at 3 p.m Wednesday, July 17, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Interment will follow at Tishomingo Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.

Maurice Graves
ASHLAND – Ava Maurice Crouch Graves, 90, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Tippah County Hospital in Ripley. She was born Jan. 25, 1923, to Thomas Walter and Ava Elzada Fortner Crouch in Hickory Flat. She was a retired teacher with the Ashland Elementary School and a homemaker. She was a member of Beech Hill Church of Christ. She enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening and especially canning (which was not work for her), but her greatest enjoyment in life was her family.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley. Bro. Chase Massengill will officiate. Michael Johnston will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Benton County. McBride Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her husband, Marsh Guyton Graves Sr. of Ashland; one son, Randy Graves (Shelia) of Ashland; four daughters, Teresa Smith (Don) of Ashland, Anita Huffman of Memphis, Linda Graves of Ashland and Wanda Smith (Ed) of Ripley; one daughter-in-law, Kay Graves of Ripley; one sister, Edith Lakey (Thomas) of Ashland; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Marsh Guyton Graves Jr.; and a sister, Stella Jett.